Apple Vichyssoise With Bleu Cheese Recipes

ROASTED APPLE, SHALLOT AND BLUE CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Place 3/4 cup lukewarm water in a large bowl. Sprinkle yeast and sugar over water. Let stand until frothy, about 5 minutes.
• In another large bowl, whisk together both flours, cornmeal and 8 grams (1 3/4 teaspoons) salt. Make a well in center of dry ingredients; stir in yeast mixture and 1/3 cup oil until mixture is combined. If the dough seems dry, add a little more water. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until dough is smooth and elastic, about 7 to 10 minutes. Or, knead in a mixer or food processor fit with the dough blade for 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Allow to rest at room temperature until dough has doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• While dough rises, heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, toss together apples, shallots, 1/4 cup oil, 2 grams ( 1/2 teaspoon) salt, the black pepper and thyme. Spread onto two large baking sheets. Roast, tossing occasionally, until mixture is tender and golden, about 30 minutes.
• Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees. Lightly oil a large rimmed baking sheet. Punch down dough and transfer to baking sheet. Using a rolling pin or your fingers, roll or stretch dough to make an even layer about 3/16-inch thick. Scatter apple-shallot mixture over crust. Scatter cheese on top. Drizzle with oil and season with flaky sea salt and black pepper. Transfer pan to oven and bake until crust is golden brown and cheese is just melted, 17 to 25 minutes. Cool slightly, then cut into squares and serve.

APPLE BLUE CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Place the julienned apple into a bowl with the balsamic vinaigrette. Refrigerate for at least one hour to marinate.
• Cook bacon in the microwave or in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned. Drain, and crumble.
• In a salad bowl, combine the blue cheese, pecans, bacon and romaine lettuce, and toss to blend. When ready to serve, pour the apples and dressing over the top.

VICHYSSOISE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in the pressure cooker pot over medium-low heat. Add the leeks, celery leaves and 1 teaspoon of the salt and cook, stirring often, until soft, approximately 8 minutes. If the leeks start to brown during this process, reduce the heat.
• Drain the potato pieces and add to the pot along with the simmering chicken broth. Clamp on the cooker's lid, (according to the manufacturer's instructions) and bring to full pressure over high heat.
• Once pressure is attained (there will be a loud whistle) back the heat down to medium-low, just maintaining a hissing of steam for 8 minutes.
• Kill the heat and release the steam pressure by opening the dump valve or setting the cooker under cold, running water. When the lid can be removed, carefully transfer the mixture to a blender carafe. (If the mixture fills your carafe more than two-thirds full, work in two batches!)
• Top the carafe with the main lid but remove the center lid so that air can escape as it heats and expands. Cover the lid tightly with a tea towel and blend on low for 1 minute before slowly increasing the speed to smoothly puree the potatoes. (Although you want to increase the speed slowly, try not to puree the potatoes too long as they could become gummy.)
• Transfer the mixture back to the pot and whisk in the cream. Stir in the white pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning (I always need the rest of the salt). Chill thoroughly then serve garnished with a small spoonful of the roe and dill fronds.
• Tightly covered, the vichyssoise will keep a week in the refrigerator. The soup can also be frozen in ice-cube trays then kept in freezer bags for up to three months.

APPLE, BLUE CHEESE AND WALNUT SALAD

Steps:

• In medium bowl, mix all dressing ingredients with wire whisk until sugar is dissolved (dressing will be thick). Set aside.
• In very large bowl, mix salad ingredients. Pour dressing over salad; toss to coat. Serve immediately.

CARAMELIZED APPLE-BLUE CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In 1-quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in sugar until it dissolves, about 20 seconds. Add apples and shallot. Cook 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture turns golden brown and aroma is reminiscent of apple cider. (Do not rush process; color takes a while to form, but the flavor is worth it.) Set aside to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix cream cheese, cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream and salt until well blended. Gently stir in cooled caramelized apple mixture and the pecans. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional chopped pecans if desired. Serve with bread or crackers.

CHILLED APPLE VICHYSSOISE

Steps:

• In a large pot, stir together water and sugar over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a simmer. Add 1 1/2 pounds large diced apples and cook about 15 minutes at a low simmer or until apples are very tender. Stir occasionally. Let cool.
• In another non-reactive larger pot, melt butter over medium heat and saute ginger about 3 minutes to release its flavor; don't let it burn. Stir in applesauce, white wine, brandy and heavy cream. Stir in cooked apples. Remove from burner and let everything cool to room temperature.
• In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, process apple mixture with ice cream (in batches if necessary) until very smooth. Pass everything through a fine sieve into a large bowl. Discard any solids that remain in sieve. Whisk in cinnamon and yogurt and refrigerate several hours or overnight until well chilled, covering when cool. Stir well before serving. Garnish each serving with 1/4 cup fine-diced apples.